How to Understand the Future of AI: Complete Step by Step Guide

Reinforcement Learning

Reinforcement learning, in simple words, is an algorithm or programming that uses a system of reward and punishment to train algorithms. A simple example: suppose you want to teach your dog to sit. You tell the dog to sit and at first, the dog will make a random action. If the action is not what you want, you give a negative reward so the dog does that action less. When you get the desired action, you give a positive reward by giving a biscuit. This way the dog learns to make certain decisions.

Humans and most animals learn from past experiences. Reinforcement learning occurs when the machine uses previous data to evolve and learn. The robots of Boston Dynamics, US, have already learned how to do backflips and jump using state-of-the-art reinforcement learning. For that matter, Amazon's Alexa is learning the flow of conversing by simulating interactions with its users.

Drastic Change in Employment Sector

Now that many companies are using robotic arms (like SCARA) in routine operational aspects of manufacturing (assembly line operations, etc), employees can put more focus on the critical aspects of their jobs. Adidas is planning to start Speedfactory in Europe, an entirely robot-enabled manufacturing plant that aims to reduce errors in manufacturing and shipping time.

However, the increased usage of robots and AI in all fields might mean that companies will start letting go of employees. A recent study shows robots will take over more than 20 million jobs by 2030, thus creating mass unemployment. One advantage could be that robots could take up jobs that pose danger to human life, such as welding. Companies like Faulhaber MICROMO, USA, have even started working on robots that could diffuse bombs.

Automated Transportation

The thought that someday, we will be sitting in the backseat of our car, and the car will drive itself to places is scary yet exciting. Automated transportation has five levels representing the extent of autonomy achieved:

Machines are Going to be as Smart as Humans

Vincent C. Muller and Nick Bostrom conducted a survey in 2014 to find out when AI experts think human-level AI or Artificial General Intelligence will arrive. They found that there is a 50-50 chance that we will achieve human-level AI by 2040.

Author James Barrat, in his book Our Final Invention, wrote, "Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended." He compares AI to nuclear fission, both simultaneously destructive and illuminatory.

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)

GAN stands for Generative Adversarial Networks. Scientists and researchers regard GAN as an extension of reinforcement learning. A Generative Adversarial Network is a network wherein two neural networks compete with one another and have the ability to capture, analyze, and copy the trends and variations within a dataset.

One example of GAN can be bitmojis. A bitmoji is essentially a personalized cartoon avatar created to look just like the user. The bitmoji app translates an image to a cartoon that has similar properties to the image. This technique can prove useful in criminal identification, where eyewitnesses or policemen can create an avatar of the criminal by choosing from a set of options.

Reach the Next Level in Science

As William Gibson said, "The future is here. It's just not evenly distributed yet." In 2018, a robot named Eve developed by scientists from Manchester, Aberystwyth, and Cambridge Universities discovered that a certain ingredient in toothpaste is helpful in curing drug-resistant malaria. This proves that the use of AI is not only going to boost development in science but has a much bigger role to play for the greater good.

Caring for the Elderly

As AI is growing exponentially, another benefit that society can derive from it is that of some sort of an attendant for the elderly. Scientists are working on robots that can provide medical care to senior citizens. As robotics is now moving towards a level that is higher than human efficiency levels, there will come a day when we will find robots reminding our parents and grandparents to take medicines, or assist them in carrying out tasks involving motor functions.

Great Support in Defence

The military industry has been using artificial intelligence for many varied purposes. AI's autonomy makes it suited for hostile situations where sending humans may not be feasible. The development of autonomous weapons systems is a focus of military research in many developed nations like the US, Russia, China, the UK, and France.